Passengers scheduled to fly from Poprad Airport to the Greek peninsula of Chalkidiki on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, were grounded for nearly ten hours due to a mechanical failure. The flight, which was initially expected to depart before 2:00 p.m., remained on the tarmac as travelers faced significant delays, a power outage in the airport terminal, and the eventual cancellation of their flight for the day.
Technical Failures and Terminal Disruptions
The disruption began when a technical issue involving a wheel was identified on the aircraft. According to accounts from passengers, there was a lengthy wait for a technician to arrive from Bratislava, who reportedly arrived in a vehicle with Austrian license plates. The situation was further complicated by a power outage inside the airport terminal, an incident for which the airport’s operational director, Patrik Františka, issued an apology.
Did You Know? The delay was exacerbated by a five-hour wait for a specialized technician to arrive from Bratislava to address the mechanical issue with the aircraft’s wheel.
Impact on Travel Plans
After waiting for more than eight hours, passengers were informed that their flight would not depart as scheduled. Travelers were provided with food vouchers and relocated to a hotel in the Tatras region by bus to spend the night. Communication regarding a replacement flight was limited, leaving many passengers uncertain about their departure status until a replacement aircraft finally arrived at Poprad Airport on Wednesday, July 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the delay for the flight to Chalkidiki?
The flight was delayed due to a technical problem with a wheel on the aircraft, which required a technician to travel to the airport to perform repairs.
How did the airport assist the affected passengers?
Poprad Airport provided passengers with food vouchers and coordinated with travel agencies to transport the travelers to a hotel by bus for the night.
When were the passengers finally able to depart?
The passengers were able to leave on a replacement aircraft that arrived at the airport on Wednesday, July 15.
How should regional airports balance the need for rapid technical support with the logistical challenges of remote maintenance?
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